Hadm 4430 Wines Final

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The wines of Bordeaux command a high esteem in the marketplace for several reasons

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i. It is the largest fine wine-producing region in the world

ii. The top wines from Bordeaux are consistently among the world’s most expensive.

iii. Bordeaux wines improve with age and last longer than most table wines.

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iv. Bordeaux wines drive the wine auction market

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iv. Bordeaux wines drive the wine auction market: they set the tone for how much will be spent at an auction

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v. Bordeaux wines drive the futures market

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v. Bordeaux wines drive the futures market for the wine: a portion of the vintage is pre-sold almost two years before it will be delivered. These wines are called “En Premeur”.

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b. Bordeaux climate

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i. Bordeaux is a large region located in southwestern France that includes many satellite regions.
ii. It is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean gulf stream, which moderates temperature. This gives Bordeaux a better climate than Burgundy.

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b. Bordeaux regions

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iii. There are 57 appellations in Bordeaux, each giving their name to different wines.
iv. Left Bank and Right Bank

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Left Bank

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iv. The area that produces the finest wine is located north of the city of Bordeaux on the left bank. The left bank is located west of Gironde.
1. The main districts in the left bank are Medoc (produces only red wines), Graves, and Pessac-Leognan (both producing red and white)
2. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant varietal in this region.
3. The soil structure in the left bank is rocky, which lends ripeness to the grapes.

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Right Bank

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vi. The right bank regions are less well known.
1. The main districts in the right bank are Saint-Emilion and Pomerol.
2. Because there is more clay, sand and limestone in the soil, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon do well here.

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c. Bordeaux Wine History

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i. The area has a long history of viticulture, dating back to Roman times.
ii. In the 12th – 15th centuries, the British ruled the area (then called Aquitaine)
iii. In the 17th century, Dutch merchants drained the marches in the Medoc, thereby making them usable for producing wine. This is where some of the best Bordeaux wines are not produced. The Dutch also brought sulfur to treat the wines and control the stability of the wines.
iv. In 1855, the merchants established a classification system. In Bordeaux the Chateaux have been classified (not the vineyards, as in Burgundy). Thus, a Chateaux that was classified First Growth in 1855 is still First Growth today.

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d. Bordeaux Grapes

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i. There are six categories of wines produced in Bordeaux: dry white, sweet white, Cremant de Bordeaux (sparkling), rose, clairet (a lighter-style red), and red.

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ii. For Bordeaux white wines

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Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc are the dominant grapes, with 55% and 35% of production, respectively. Other popular grapes include Muscadelle and Ugni Blanc.

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iii. For Bordeaux red wines

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Merlot is the dominant grape with 69,000 hectares and 60% of production. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Carmenere are the other popular red grapes. Most Bordeaux red wines are blended.

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II. Bordeaux wine levels

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a. Regional wines, AOC Bordeaux

b. Sub-regional wines, Haut Medoc

c. Commune wines, AOC Margaux (which is within the Haut Medoc)

d. Chateaux wines, Chateau Margaux (which is the First Growth Chareaux within the commune of Margaux)

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III. Bordeaux Wine Classifications

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Classification of 1855 - 61 top red wines named, divided into five crus:

First Growths - 5 chateaux
Second Growths - 14 chateaux
Third Growths
Fourth Growths
Fifth Growths

Referred to as Great Growths/Grand Crus Classes

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The five Bordeaux First Growth Chateaux include:

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Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, Mouton-Rothschild (elevated to this status in 1973).

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Bordeaux St-Emilion classifications

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Ignored in 1855, classified in 1955:

1. Premier Grand Cru Classe
a. 2 chateaux in Category A
b. 11 chateaux in Category B
2. Grand Cru Classe - 55 chateaux
3. Grand Cru - 200 chateaux